Toss in the Can
Assemble a sock ball, a bean bag or a yarn ball and an empty trash can
or tub. Place the can or tub close to the child.
Show the child how to toss the ball or bean bag into the trash can or tub.
Encourage the child to use one hand, but accept either under- or overhand tosses.
Insisting on one or the other at this age may confuse or frustrate the child.
The child may even prefer to use both hands. The object is to aim for the target
with the ball or bean bag.
This is a simple activity and should interest the child. However,
make it clear to the child that he should aim for the trash can or
tub and not the furniture, lamps, tables, etc.
When the child has gained confidence in tossing the ball a short distance,
the trash can or tub can be moved farther away from the child. This
will offer more of a challenge to the child and will increase his skill
and confidence.
This activity develops:
eye-hand coordination
gross motor coordination
interest in a game
following directions
an awareness of distance and time in relation to when the ball is first
tossed and when it stopped
BEAN BAG GAMES
Heads or Tails: Toss two-color bean bag in the air and
have child guess which color will land facing up.
Bean Bag Crawl: Put bean bag on child's back and see
how far he/she can crawl before it falls off. Racing
this way is great for a birthday party.
Bean Bag Walk: Child balances bean bag on head as
he/she walks, sits in a chair, sits on the floor,
walks backward, etc.
Keep a Straight Face
Two teams sit facing each other in two lines. One team is chosen to
go first and they must keep a straight face no matter what. In the
meantime, the opposing team is doing everything within their power
to make the other team laugh or crack a smile. No touching or tickling,
but other than that, anything goes! It's so funny to watch the creative
ways people try to make each other laugh.
MONKEY TAG
Number of Players: Any number
Location: Outdoors with over the head places to touch, such
as tree limbs, clotheslines, etc. (backyard or park)
Equipment: None
Object: Avoid being tagged by "IT"
Set-Up: One player is chosen as "IT"
Play: "IT" cannot tag any players if they are touching something
over their heads AND standing on only one foot. (This position prevents
players from remaining in the safe position too long). Players
should be encouraged to move around and take chances. Also, "IT" cannot
stand next to one player to wait for them to move and cannot push them
to make them get off balance. "IT" has to keep moving from one
player to the next. NO two players can touch the same overhead
object and the "last" player to an object wins that spot, thereby causing
the other player to have to run.
Winner: None
FLAMINGO BALL RELAY
Submitted by Kathy
Required: Balls
Players: Small to large groups
Category: Relay Games
Set up teams of 8 - 11 players and each team will need one ball. Choose
one player on each team to toss the ball to their team players. The
teams are to line up side-by-side about one to two feet part from the
other team players.
The players with the balls are to be facing the first player in line about
5-8 feet away. On go, the first player is to stand on one foot (left foot)
and the ball is to be passed to them 5 times by their player with the ball.
If they put their foot down they are to start over with the count of 5 again.
Once that player has completed the 5 passes then the next player will complete
the task. You do this all the way down the line until the end. Once
the last person has completed standing on the left foot, they will now stand
on the right foot for 5 ball passes. The next player will do the same standing
now on the right foot working your way back up to the starting point. The first
team to complete the ball passing while standing like a Flamingo is the winner.
This game idea came to me after reading the book called The Gift of Dyslexia.
Created by R. Scheel, Fun-Attic, Inc.
BEAN BAG FUN
You can make a bean bag toss board by cutting a circle in a piece of
plywood and painting it whatever colour or pattern you wish, even
making the hole part of a character's stomach.
Toss bean bags into a hoop or series of hoops on the ground, assigning
point values for each hoop. Or have them toss the bean bags through
hoops like a lion jumping through a hoop.
Use the bean bags for body part identification, asking them to walk
around with the bean bags on shoulders, elbows, etc. or just have them
touch the bean bags to their limbs.
Have the kids shake the bean bags, then toss them up in the air and
catch them. Have them see how many times they can clap while
the beanbag is up in the air before catching it or have them spin in
a circle before catching it.
There's always the great old stand-by of Hot Potato :)
Have them play catch, taking a step back everytime they catch it and
a step forward when they miss.
BUBBLE WRAP
Submitted by Marilyn
One of the teachers in my school did this simple activity with her
class and it was a success. She bought a large piece of bubble
wrap paper and taped it onto the carpeted floor. Then she placed
plastic and wooden toy hammers all around. The children spent
so much time banging and popping the bubble wrap. It was a
different thing to do to break up the day. So easy - so much
fun!
LARGE MOTOR GAME
Submitted by Dianne
Materials: sponge balls
large box or basket.
Scatter the balls around and let the children pick them up using their
feet instead of their hands. In fact, we have them scoot around
on their bottoms to get to the balls and then scoot over to the basket
and let them drop in. They can't use their hands at all. Some
other items to pick up are small stuffed animals, bean bags, small
boxes and/or empty milk cartons.
Big Blocks
Liven up your blocks center with these attractive, lightweight building
blocks. Collect a supply of concentrated detergent boxes. Tape over
the opening of each box with packaging tape. Cover each box with
colored Cont-Tact® paper. Youngsters will demonstrate new heights
of creativity when they're building with these larger-than-life blocks!
Parachute Games!
submitted by Amy
Mushroom
This is not so much a game, more an essential starting point for
parachute play. Get everyone to spread out the parachute and hold
the edge, spaced out more or less evenly so they're standing in a
circle. Pull the chute taut and lower it to the ground (or knee level).
On the magic word (e.g. Mushroom!) everyone pulls the chute upwards
(don't let go). It will fill with air and rise up like a giant mushroom
- or igloo. To get it as high as possible everyone must take a couple
of paces towards the center as the chute rises. It's good to practice
this so that the group can learn to work effectively as a team and
get the chute really high. It won't work without co-operation.
Variations on Mushroom
Once you've mastered the basic mushroom it's fun to experiment. See
what happens if:
Everyone mushrooms and then runs to the center, still holding the chute. Everyone
mushrooms, then lets go, especially outdoors on a windy day! Everyone lets
go at exactly the same time. If there isn't any wind, the chute will retain
its perfect mushroom shape and rise straight up in the air. Indoors it may
go up to the ceiling. To get this right it's best for someone to shout "One….
Two…. Three…. Go!", or similar, immediately after the "Mushroom!" instruction.
For everyone to let go at exactly the right instant will take practice and
concentration. Groups of children who haven't played with a parachute before
will probably be delighted and fascinated by the effect for quite a while before
you move on to a
other games. It's particularly spectacular when the sun is shining down through
the chute.
Rollerball
Everyone holds the chute taut. Place a large ball near the edge. Try
to make the ball roll around the edge of the chute. To do this someone
starts the ball rolling. As it comes towards you, you lower the edge
you are holding, and as it goes past you raise your edge. When all
the players do this in synchronization it creates a wave going round
the edge, pushing the ball round in front of it in a smooth, steady
circle. It can not be done without concentration and co-operation!
However, it is very rewarding for the group to eventually achieve
a smooth, continuous motion. Once you've done this try speeding up
- or change direction.
Big Turtle
Have the children get on their hands and knees under a large "turtle
shell" and try to make the turtle more in one direction. As a cooperative
game, children have to work together to get the turtle to move. Variation:
Have the turtle go over a hill or bench or through an obstacle course
without losing the shell.
The Ocean
We pretend the parachute is the ocean. I have them give me the name
of an ocean. Children move the parachute in response to the 'weather
report' they heard. (Encourages children to be creative). For example,
I'll say, "I heard on the weather report this morning that there
was a slight breeze over the Atlantic. What would that look like?" The
children respond by making small waves in the parachute. Other suggestions
have been - high winds, snow (we would have to pull it tight to make
the ice), twisters, etc. Once they get the hang of it the possibilities
are endless.
Jaws
Everyone sits on the floor in a circle holding the parachute stretched
out with his or her legs underneath it. The chute is the sea and
they are sitting on the beach, happily dipping their toes in the
water. By shaking the edge of the chute realistic ripple or wave
effects can be generated. Once the waves are going well someone is
selected to be a shark and disappears under the chute. They move
around underneath and because of the waves it will be difficult to
see where they are. The shark chooses a victim and grabs him or her
by the feet. The victim can give an appropriate scream before disappearing
under the chute. This person now becomes a new shark. To prolong
the game you can have the original shark revert to being a bather
- or to make it more lively you can have several sharks in there
at once. To finish the game you can choose 'once a shark, always
a shark' - so everyone eventually becomes a shark. You can introduce
freak weather conditions - or even a killer whale!
See-Saw Pull -- From a sitting position, have the children
pull the chute back and forth in a see- sawing motion.
Make Waves -- While gripping the parachute, everyone moves
their arms up and down to make small and large waves.
Ball Roll -- Have the children try to roll balls into the hole
in the center of the parachute.
Chute Lift -- Ask the children to lift the parachute high over
their heads and down again. Talk about the soft sounds and breezes
that are created. Move the parachute faster and notice the different
effects.
Mushroom -- From a standing position, lift the parachute from
the ground to waist height, counting one (lift) and two (lift). On
three (lift), have everyone raise the parachute high over their heads
and then crouch down, pulling the parachute tightly behind them. A
mushroom effect is created as the parachute settles.
Parachute Tag -- Lift the parachute high overhead. Call one
child's name and have her run (skip, hop, twirl or crawl) to the other
side before the parachute comes down and tags her.
One Hand Run -- Have each child hold the parachute with one
hand, extending the opposite arm out for balance. Run around in one
direction, then change and run around in the other direction. A variation
would be to use music as the cue for changing direction (i.e. direction
can be changed every time the music stops).
Parachute Run -- Have the children take turns running on the
parachute as it lies on the ground, while the other children make waves.
See how long the children can maneuver on the waves before falling
down. The length of turns can be determined by songs that the children
choose to sing (i.e. everyone's turn lasts the length of one song).
PARACHUTE FUN
When the Parachute Goes Up (sung to: If Your Happy and You Know it)
When the parachute goes up stomp your feet
When the parachute goes up stomp your feet
When the parachute is high
It floats up in the sky
When the parachute goes up stomp your feet.
Encourage children to think of other movements.
(bend your knees, nod your head, shout hooray)
Name Game (sung to: Row Row Row your Boat)
Up, up, up it goes
Down, down, down it comes
If your name is------- (put in a child's name)
Now's your turn to run
As you sing the song have the children raise the parachute above their
heads. When a child is named have him/her run under the parachute.
Then slowly lower the parachute to try and trap the child. Continue
until all children have had a turn.
STILTS
Submitted by Margie
Materials: Tuna Fish cans; Thin rope (like a clothes line)
Preparation: Poke holes in opposites of Tuna cans using a pair of
teacher scissors. String rope through Tuna can holes so that
knots can be tied at both ends (under the Tuna fish can) Rope should
be long enough for the child to hold while standing on the tuna can.
Process: Child takes 2 cans with rope attached and walks on them, while pulling
up on ropes to keep tuna can against the bottom of his/her feet.
VARIATION: For older children/more advanced use coffee cans or large
fruit/vegetable cans.
LARGE MOTOR SKILLS GAMES
Submitted by Peg
Title: Sock Ball
Ages 1 - 3
Goal: build motor control and improve aim.
Use a rolled up pair of socks to make a great beginner's ball with
which he/she can practice throwing. To build sense of confidence
first ask child to toss (as in underhanded) the ball to you. This
is an easiest way for young children to throw with accuracy. Start
by asking the child to toss it to the wall, big box, square
on floor - something large so child will have confidence to try smaller
targets.
Hula Hoop Toss
Ages 2 - 5
Goal: Increase aim and build motor control.
Use either sock ball or other soft ball and throw thru a hula hoop
hanging from ceiling or teacher, while sitting on floor, can
hold over her head . It is important for the hoop to be at child's
eye level. Later, as coordination improves move the hoop from side-
to- side to increase the challenge.
Kick Ball
Ages 2 - 5
Goal: Increase motor coordination and teaches to kick ball without
falling.
Balancing on one foot and kicking the ball with the other is not easy, and
this exercise is to help improve that balance. At first the child can start
by holding one foot up and seeing how long they can balance. Make a game out
of it by singing this song while the children hold their foot up. As an added
skill have them hold their foot with the same hand while balancing)
Tune; Wheels On the Bus
I can balance on just one foot, just one foot, just one foot.
I can balance on just one foot - as still as a statue
As balancing improves then have them hop on one foot, then progress to hopping
on one foot while holding the other foot.
Now have them kick a ball! You will be amazed at their coordination and aim
since balancing is a skill already learned.
The Tortoise
Ages: 2 - 5
Goal: Team work and coordination
To create a giant tortoise several children get on their hands and
knees while you cover them with a shell made from a blanket or large
sheet of cardboard. Suggest that the tortoise take a little walk. Do
not be surprised if it loses it's shell the first few tries. The children
will need to practice and use team work to move as one and keep their "home" on
their backs. Once they start operating as a team set up a simple obstacle
path, put a chair in path that they have to turn to avoid, blocks that
must be climbed over.
Caterpillar Crawl
Line up kids on hands and knees and link together by having each child hold
on to the person's ankles in front of them and have a slithery excursion across
grass as a caterpillar! Surmounting cushions placed in their path or following
a prescribed route around several chairs can add challenge to the fun.
BEAN BAGS
Submitted by Marcia
When making bean bags, use fish rocks from the tank (really cheap
stuff) so when it's time to wash those dirty bean bags, you can throw
them in the wash machine! (rice & beans will become soggy)
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